This was my first time to see a whole game with the new guys, so it was very interesting. To state the obvious, Hyman is A PLAYER. Holy strong game at both ends, and just a very impressive range of skills. Thank you very much, Ken Holland.
Foegel looked to me like a player with a very modest hockey IQ, but of course I’ll reserve judgement until much later. Ceci was okay tonight, but likewise I’ll wait and see. I liked Duncan Keith’s game, though – nothing fancy, but some solid play, and smart plays with the puck.
Some players were good – McDavid, Puljujarvi, Hyman (as mentioned), Bouchard (who nearly scored), and Barrie. I was really impressed by Barrie tonight (costly 3rd-period penalty aside, and brutal shootout attempt), and it’ll be great if he can maintain this kind of balanced play through the season.
Conversely, Nurse was just okay. Brutal giveaway early, and some odd choices: there was a point in the third period with the Oilers up 2-0 and nine minutes left, and Nurse was leading a rush down the ice to the goal-line. I was like, “Is that necessary…?” Draisaitl was good-ish and full marks for that spectacular touch pass to Hyman, but overall he was kind of meh. A few lazy, low-percentage passes that were easily picked off. Smith was mostly great and held them in early in the game, but he almost gave up a freebie to Pettersson in the second (?) period, and that 2nd goal against was just awful. RNH was invisible – except for scoring on his own goalie – as usual when he’s asked to carry a line. (Nice shootout shot, though.)
I don’t get why McLeod is playing at all (because Kassian?). I didn’t think he was doing anything much besides speed last year, and he’s doing even less now. Hard to judge Perlini and those guys with so little ice-time, but certainly nobody distinguished themselves on lines three and four.
Which brings to my biggest issue with the club: Dave Tippett’s brutal line / line-up management. I can kind of understand Russell being inserted (note: ‘kind of’), but I just don’t think Turris earns his place on the club after last year’s disaster. And… why was he on the ice in overtime??
I do not like McDavid & Drai on the same line, at this point in time. The whole point of improving the forward depth was to avoid exactly that, so what is Tippett thinking? Seriously, Tippett must have signed some of eternity-in-hell contract with the Devil, promising to never play Drai, Yamamoto, and RNH on the same line. Because that would be so logical. Utterly baffles me.
Anyway, entertaining game, despite a blown 2-0 lead and some tentative play. I don’t think we’ll see the “real” 2022 Oilers until about game ten.
